UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough, bloodied after a flagrant foul by Duke’s Gerald Henderson (not pictured), is held back by teammates after the second-half play at the Smith Center on Sunday, March 4, 2007. NEWS & OBSERVER FILE PHOTO

UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough, bloodied after a flagrant foul by Duke’s Gerald Henderson (not pictured), is held back by teammates after the second-half play at the Smith Center on Sunday, March 4, 2007. NEWS & OBSERVER FILE PHOTO

Ten years after a bloody, broken nose, former Duke-UNC rivals start a podcast

The key players in an unforgettable, blood-stained Duke-UNC basketball moment have announced plans to work together.

Former North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough and former Duke standout Gerald Henderson Jr. plan to launch a weekly podcast called “Tobacco Road” on Thursday. The show, which will study the rivalry between the two schools, plans to feature coaches, players and other guests with ties to Duke or UNC.

It was a little more than 10 years ago (March 4, 2007, to be exact) when Hansbrough hit the floor and emerged with a bloody and broken nose from a foul by Henderson in the final seconds of that game in Chapel Hill. Henderson was ejected after the contact was deemed flagrant, and the Tar Heels took the win, 86-72.

“Tyler went up, shot faked or whatever, he got all our guys in the air and I came down on him, “ Henderson said after the game. “I wasn’t trying to hurt him or anything like that. It just turned out way worse than what I intended.”

UNC fans react after a flagrant foul by Duke’s Gerald Henderson, who knocked down UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough on March 4, 2007.

NEWS & OBSERVER FILE PHOTO

Hansbrough on Wednesday said the two “didn’t really have a relationship before” the foul.

Both said they’ve put the moment behind them, but they expect it will help the podcast.

“It’s going to grab some attention,” Hansbrough said. “But both of us are actively involved with our programs. It’s kind of unique, because usually you don’t bring both crowds together unless we’re playing.”

After seven years playing in the NBA, Hansbrough currently plays professional basketball in China. He will call in to participate in the podcast.

Henderson played eight seasons in the NBA and expects to return after recovering from hip surgery in August.